Park · VA, US
Rappahannock County Park
Rappahannock County Park is a small International Dark Sky Park (2019) off Route 211 near Washington, Virginia. The park, a few miles east of Shenandoah National Park, is open dawn to dusk, so after-dark viewing happens at Open Observation Evenings, which need registration 24 hours ahead. Separate program events need no registration, and the park's page does not mention camping.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | VA |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Washington |
| Certified | 2019 |
| Coordinates | 38.7110, -78.1523 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/rappahannock-county-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
Waning Crescent
1% illuminated. Rises 6:19 AM EST. Sets 4:30 PM EST. Times are local to the park.
Next new moon
November 9, 2026
The darkest, best-for-stargazing night in the current lunar cycle. See the full trip planner for the next 12 months of new-moon windows.
Upcoming meteor showers
- Leonids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, November 17, 2026
- Geminids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 13, 2026
- Ursids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 22, 2026
5 nearest dark sky places
- Sky Meadows State Park · 35 km (22 mi)
- Observatory Park at Turner Farm · 79 km (49 mi)
- James River State Park · 134 km (83 mi)
- Natural Bridge State Park · 171 km (106 mi)
- Watoga State Park · 187 km (116 mi)